The Republic of Ireland coach Giovanni Trapattoni has named his 23-man final squad for Euro 2012. Photograph: Carlo Ferraro/EPA

Kevin Foley was heartbroken when Giovanni Trapattoni removed him from his 23-man Republic of Ireland squad for the Euro 2012 finals, even though he had returned to training and felt that he was over a hamstring injury. Paul McShane has been promoted from the standby pool in his stead and the versatile defender was named in the final 23 that Trapattoni submitted to Uefa.

Foley, who was in the original 23, was ditched after Trapattoni considered the fitness of some of his other defenders. The right-back John O'Shea is carrying an ankle injury while there have been worries over the central defenders Richard Dunne, Sean St Ledger and Darren O'Dea in recent days. Trapattoni considers Foley as a full-back, while McShane can also provide cover in central defence, and this appears to have swayed the manager's decision as he sought the optimum balance for the squad.

There was added irony in that McShane picked up a minor heel injury in Saturday's 1-0 friendly win over Bosnia-Herzegovina. Foley travelled with the squad to their training camp in Italy on Sunday and having struggled with his hamstring problem last week, he trained with the group on Sunday and Monday.

"With the injuries that we experienced in the squad over the past week, I have had to make a tough decision when it comes to naming the 23 players that must be submitted to Uefa for the championship," Trapattoni said. "Although Kevin has been recovering well, I have made the difficult decision to leave him out of the 23-player list after completing fitness tests on John O'Shea and Paul McShane this morning. I have spoken to him and understand how difficult it is, saying that he can remain with the squad if he wishes."

Shay Given, who hurt a knee in training last Monday week, is the other concern, although the goalkeeper has total confidence that he will prove his fitness. Trapattoni lost the midfielder Keith Fahey to a groin injury on Saturday and replaced him with Paul Green.